The NFL has announced a 10-game suspension for Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy for violating the personal conduct policy.
Hardy, who signed a one-year deal with the Cowboys in March, will appeal the ruling. If the league's ruling stands, then the first game Hardy would be eligible to play would be Nov. 26 against his former team, the Carolina Panthers, on Thanksgiving.
Commissioner Roger Goodell wrote a letter informing Hardy of the decision, which came after what the league called an "extensive two-month investigation" after Hardy's case was dismissed in North Carolina State court.
Hardy Suspension Sacks Cowboys
Why did the Cowboys roll the dice on pass-rusher Greg Hardy? Well, the team was ranked 28th last season in sacks.
2014 Sacks
Bengals20
Falcons22
Raiders22
Chargers26
Cowboys28
* Bills led league in sacks with 54
-- ESPN Stats & Information
Goodell wrote that a suspension of this length would be appropriate under the current or former personal conduct policy.
Last July, Hardy was found guilty of assaulting a former girlfriend, Nicole Holder, and threatening to kill her and sentenced to a 60-day suspended sentence and 18 months' probation on misdemeanor charges. He appealed the judge's ruling in favor of a jury trial and the case was dismissed in February when Holder chose not to cooperate with authorities after receiving a settlement from Hardy.
This week Hardy has asked the court that his record be expunged.
Before reaching its decision, the NFL was able to look at court records, documents, exhibits, photographs, police reports and medical records as well as reports and opinions of medical experts retained by Hardy's attorneys and the NFL.
The NFL said it made "numerous efforts," to interview Holder, but was unable to do so. The league also said Hardy failed to provide complete and accurate information to the NFL investigators and the league's staff. The league said Hardy's attorneys did not provide the NFL with a copy of the settlement with Holder or acknowledge an agreement exists.
The investigation was led by Lisa Friel, who is the league's senior vice president and special counsel for investigations and a vice president at T&M Protection Resources. Prior to joining T&M, Friel was head of the sex crimes prosecution unit in the New York County district attorney's office.
Hardy, his lawyer as well as representatives with the NFL Players Association met with the NFL staff and investigators on March 4, with independent investigators on March 10 and again recently after the league was able to review certain photographs made available by the district attorney's office in North Carolina.
Read more: http://espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/story/_/id/12742740/greg-hardy-dallas-cowboys-suspended-10-games-nfl
